Tliltocatl andrewi
| Tliltocatl andrewi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Theraphosidae |
| Genus: | Tliltocatl |
| Species: | T. andrewi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tliltocatl andrewi | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Tliltocatl andrewi (synonym Brachypelma andrewi) is a possible species of spider in the family Theraphosidae (tarantulas). The World Spider Catalog regards it as a nomen dubium (dubious name). Only the male has been described and its distribution is unknown.[1]
Description[edit]
Only a male preserved since 1875 has been described, initially incorrectly as Euathlus truculentus. Its body length is 55 mm; the fourth leg is longest at 67 mm. The general colour is blackish brown, with long orange-red hairs on the abdomen and legs. The femurs of the legs have bronze gold hairs.[2] The palpal bulb has a wide embolus tapering to a point,[2] typical of Brachypelma species (as then understood) as opposed to the long tapered embolus of Euathlus species.[3]
Taxonomy[edit]
In a study published in 1992, Andrew Smith described a specimen in the British Museum of Natural History believing it to be a male of Euathlus truculentus. He used his description to support the view held at the time that the genus Brachypelma was synonymous with Euathlus.[2] However, shortly afterwards in 1992, Günter Schmidt realized that this specimen was not the same species as the type of Euathlus truculentus, but was in fact a new species of Brachypelma (as then understood), which he called B. andrewi after Andrew Smith. Smith accepted that he had been mistaken.[3] As of September 2017[update], only this male has been described. The species was transferred to Tliltocatl, along with other species of Brachypelma, in 2020.[1]
Distribution[edit]
The label on the described specimen says "Cuba", but this is considered unlikely as its place of origin, the presumption being that it was purchased in Havana, Cuba.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Taxon details Tliltocatl andrewi (Schmidt, 1992)", World Spider Catalog, Natural History Museum Bern, retrieved 2020-03-01
- ^ a b c d Smith, A.M. (1992), "In defence of Raven's decision to make the genus Brachypelma Simon 1891 a junior synonymy [sic] of Euathlus Ausserer 1895", British Tarantula Society Journal, 7 (3): 14–19
- ^ a b Schmidt, G. (1992), "Brachypelma Simon 1890 oder Euathlus Ausserer 1875? (Araneida: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae)", Arachnologischer Anzeiger (in German), 3 (1): 9–11